Why Ellie Left Coffee Beans On Joel's Grave In The Last Of Us

Ellie leaves coffee beans behind on Joel's grave in The Last of Us season 2, episode 3, and there's a specific reason why. Joel's death in season 2, episode 2's ending was one of the show's most shocking moments, and no one is more devastated than Ellie. In the five-year time gap between seasons 1 and 2, her relationship with her adoptive father grew more complicated. Still, she feels a profound sense of love for Joel, and that's demonstrated by her kind and thoughtful gesture.

The Last of Us season 2, episode 3 shows Ellie setting out for revenge against Abby and her group. Dina was present during Joel's murder, and she knows that the assailants were from Seattle and part of a group called W.L.F., which stands for Washington Liberation Front. The council held a vote to discuss the matter of spending a sixteen-person crew to seek revenge, but they were outvoted. Ellie and Dina ventured out on their own, but they made a quick stop at a graveyard built just outside Jackson.

Ellie Honored Joel's Love Of Coffee By Leaving Coffee Beans At His Grave In The Last Of Us

This Was One Of The Show's Most Heartfelt Moments

The Last of Us primarily takes place in a post-apocalyptic setting, but older characters like Joel are still defined by elements of their previous lives. We caught a glimpse of what Joel was like before the outbreak in season 1's opening, and some of the things he was known to enjoy included action movies, music, and, of course, coffee. Like many other things, coffee became a commodity in the world after the outbreak, making it all the more meaningful for Ellie to give some up to honor him at his grave.

When Ellie and Dina visit Joel's grave in The Last of Us season 2, episode 3, Ellie leaves behind some coffee beans. This symbolizes that, although she had complicated feelings for Joel in his life, she wants to remember him for something positive about his character. This was something she and he joked about, as she consistently found coffee to be too bitter and questioned why he loved it so much. It's a bittersweet moment, with her wanting to say her goodbyes with a kind, loving gesture.

Joel's Love Of Coffee Was A Running Gag In The Last Of Us Show & Games

Ellie & Sarah Loved To Tease Joel For Loving Coffee

Joel's love for coffee is an ongoing joke familiar to anyone who's played The Last of Us video games, and it carried over directly into the TV series. Both Sarah and Ellie made fun of him for it, and season 2 showed that he was even willing to trade valuable supplies for coffee beans. Joel was a smuggler and scavenger, making him immensely valuable wherever he found himself, so it speaks volumes that he would spend his "earnings" on coffee. Coffee was one of Joel's truest loves.